Engineer III

Are you a skilled engineer ready to make a real impact on public safety, environmental protection, and infrastructure resilience? Join our Dam Safety & Capital Projects Section as an Engineer III and take the lead on high-profile stormwater projects that strengthen communities, reduce flood risk, and ensure long-term sustainability. This is your opportunity to oversee complex capital projects, guide cross-functional teams, and shape the future of Fairfax County’s stormwater systems.
The Engineer III key responsibilities include:

• Lead Large-Scale Stormwater Projects: Manage the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of stormwater infrastructure from project scoping through construction and closeout, ensuring compliance with PFM, VDOT, DEQ, MS4, CBPO, and other applicable regulations.
• Oversee Contracts and Program Administration: Administer A/E and construction contracts, monitor consultant and contractor performance, review invoices, and support budgeting, staffing, and program delivery.
• Plan and Coordinate Projects: Develop and maintain work plans and schedules, lead project scoping meetings, track progress, and recommend adjustments to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Prepare Reports and Engage Stakeholders: Create clear reports, correspondence, and presentations for internal teams, regulatory agencies, and the public; maintain asset and condition assessment data.
• Promote Safety and Respond to Emergencies: Implement safety programs, participate in training, and respond to emergencies such as flooding, dam incidents, and natural disasters while supporting staff and departmental operations.

The ideal candidate must have the following traits:

• Accountability – Takes responsibility for individual and team decisions, judgments, and actions. Ensures work is carried through from initiation to completion with attention to quality, compliance, and fiscal stewardship. Continuously seeks process improvements to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery.
• Effective Communication – Communicates clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with team members, leadership, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the public. Prepares accurate reports, technical documentation, and presentations tailored to diverse audiences.
• Flexibility and Resilience – Maintains professionalism, composure, and focus in high-pressure or rapidly changing situations. Adapts work methods, priorities, and resources in response to new information, shifting demands, emergencies, or unexpected challenges.
• Problem Solving – Applies strong analytical and critical thinking skills to anticipate issues and evaluate risks, costs, and alternatives. Develops practical, timely, and innovative solutions to complex technical and operational challenges.
• Project Management – Effectively plans, coordinates, and oversees schedules, budgets, consultants, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Conflict Management – Addresses disagreements and stakeholder concerns constructively and professionally. Facilitates resolution through active listening, negotiation, and collaboration to maintain project momentum and positive working relationships.

DPWES is a diverse, nationally-accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness.
Please review our awesome benefits:

• Benefit
• Retirement

Fairfax County’s award-winning Stormwater team works to reduce flood risk and protect local watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay with comprehensive watershed and infrastructure management to protect people, the environment, and property.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelor’s degree in the appropriate engineering or architectural field; plus, three years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid driver’s license.
• DEQ Stormwater Management Inspector certification – completion of first required training class within 12 months of hire and certification required within 12 months of date of completion of first required class.
• DEQ Stormwater Management Plan Reviewer certification – completion of first required training class within 12 months of hire and certification required within 12 months of date of completion of first required class.
• DEQ – Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Reviewer certification – completion of first required training class within 12 months of hire and certification required within 12 months of date of completion of first required class.
• DEQ – Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector certification – completion of first required training class within 12 months of hire and certification required within 12 months of date of completion of first required class.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a driver’s license check to the satisfaction of the employer.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid VA DEQ Stormwater Inspector and Plan Reviewer certification.
• Valid VA DEQ Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector and Plan Reviewer certification.
• 3 years of progressively responsible experience in the supervision or management of construction or maintenance projects.
• 5 years of experience in construction plans and specifications review or preparation.
• 3 years of experience in review construction documents and proposals for cost evaluation and compatibility with County standards, guides and operational needs;
• 5 years of experience of common methods and equipment used in stormwater maintenance and stormwater facility construction and of inspection methods used in reviewing such work;
• 3 years of experience in the knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques relating to construction project management and contract administration;
• 3 years of experience with Federal, State and County site construction codes and regulatory/permits, including the Public Facilities Manual and Erosion and Sediment Control Standards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, stooping, walking, and climbing in and out of catch basins and manholes. Including, removal and replacement of manhole covers which weigh up to 50 lbs. Physically and mentally able to use all applicable personal protective equipment in an outdoor environment; including hardhat, eye protection, hearing protection safety footwear, long pants, sleeved shirt, and personal fall arrest harness. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others). We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during Application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
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